Partnership Finalizes Plans for 2017 IForum Series

December 01, 2016

Partnership for Strong Communities (PSC)

The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority has been a committed partner with the Partnership for Strong Communities in our shared goal of an affordably housed state. To CHFA, this mission is not purely focused on the creation of units, but also the impacts and outcomes of our investments in providing housing choice, opportunity and transformation of properties, communities and individual lives for the better.

Our investment impacts in the State are more than creating a home with a mortgage for a first-time homebuyer, low income housing tax credits or financing multifamily developments. The key to affordable housing includes building bridges to public policy initiatives. The Partnership's IForum Series is one such bridge to convene policymakers and stakeholders for discussions and debates on serious policy issues.

So we at CHFA are pleased to continue our role as long-standing supporters of the IForum – now entering its 13th year of policy gatherings.

At CHFA, we are keenly aware of interconnections between housing policy and most other disciplines, connections that are illuminated by the line-up of this year’s series. The forums, which will begin in January and run through May, will cover everything from municipal growth and housing’s instrumental role in economic development to the relationship of homelessness to the health care and criminal justice systems.

The Partnership has taken care to continually take the temperature of IForum attendees, seeking to modify the content, time and organization of the events to work best for all the constituencies and organizations interested in taking part. We’re looking forward to being a part of these important conversations, and we hope that you will too.

Most IForums will be two hours in duration and continue to be proceeded by a light breakfast and networking. Admission and parking will remain free; donations in person or on the Partnership website will be very much appreciated.

Dates have been announced for the first two IForums, and each IForum will be held during the last week of each month, January through May, so attendees can begin making their plans now. The IForums will begin at 9 a.m. after an 8:30 breakfast:

January 30 (snow date February 2)Zoning: How Local Decisions Shape Our Communities’ Futures
Zoning regulations shape a municipality. What steps can we take to help zoning decision-makers craft the informed decisions that will help meet the needs of Connecticut towns and their residents as housing markets and housing needs change?Click here to register now!

February 24 (snow date Feb 28)Forecasting Our Future: The Economic Impact of Exclusionary Housing
Different types of people need different types of housing at different stages in their lives. How can anticipating future housing demand improve Connecticut’s economy and reduce the prospect of continuing state budget deficits?

March 31 (snow date April 3)First/Last Mile: Ensuring That Everyone Can Share Connecticut’s New Transit Opportunities
As new transit options in Connecticut are coming online, riders who can use them will enjoy increased access to employment, education, healthcare, other vital services and recreation. How can revised buslines, Uber and other new approaches to closing that First/Last Mile gap, now being employed across the country, provide models for Connecticut?

April 26Conquering Chronic Homelessness AND Maintaining That Progress
In 2016, Connecticut built an effective system to identify, assess, prioritize and match the most vulnerable people experiencing chronic homelessness with housing resources.Gov. Malloy and state officials were instrumental in that success. How can the state remain a leader by maintaining its effective homelessness response system?

May - TBDNavigating The Perilous Intersection Between Homelessnessand the Criminal Justice System
A criminal record poses significant barriers to housing and increases the risk of homelessness. How can federal and state policies target people who confront both homelessness and a return to prison and guide them to a path that keeps them housed, stable and free to pursue their individual and family goals?